The Blockbuster Report
We have the extended weekend thanks to Thanksgiving in the U.S, which means we have a few more high profile films to check out (or not).
First of all we have Frozen, the new Disney animated film. I’ve warmed to this one a bunch since seeing trailers, and I’m choosing it as my Film to Catch this week. No huge star power here, just a story that looks fun and some very “cool” animation. It is always great when a family film is made well, and Frozen should easily capture at least a nomination for Best Animated Feature when Oscar Season arrives.
Black Nativity, Homefront, and Oldboy all opened to wide releases today, while Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom hits limited theaters on Friday. Mandela is the best of the three, and while there may be some value in the others, they mostly underwhelm.
Where Do They Come From?
Frozen is based (loosely) on the Hans Christian Andersen story The Snow Queen, Oldboy is Spike Lee’s adaptation of the Japanese manga Old Boy, Black Nativity is based on the Langston Hughes play, and Homefront is based on the novel of the same name, written by Chuck Logan.
Also, I need to make an edit from last week. I labeled Hunger Games: Catching Fire as a sequel, and it is, but it is an adaptation of the Catching Fire book, so I am reclassifying it as an adaptation.
Original: 43
Adaptation: 34
Sequel/Prequel: 17
Remake: 3
Re-release: 3
Oscarwatch (Not including this weekend’s films)
The Independent Spirit Award nominees were announced this week, meaning the award season is here! You’ll note nominations by each film listed if you click the link directly above.
1) 12 Years a Slave
2) Gravity
3) Captain Phillips
4) Nebraska
5) Before Midnight
6) Blue Jasmine
7) Fruitvale Station
8) Mud
9) Dallas Buyers Club
10) Philomena – NEW
Haunted by Humans 